Not until I saw it did Cao Zhi freeze completely.
What did he see?
A light!
A man!
A man who represented light!
Cao Zhi’s heart trembled violently.
Instantly.
An incomparable, intense emotion surged within him.
“My Lord…”
Cao Zhi whispered to himself.
As the two words "My Lord" were spoken, a brilliant light flared before Cao Zhi's eyes, as if some destiny had awakened!
Sensing something, Cao Zhi tumbled directly from the back of the "Demon Beast Jia Ma Wang," prostrating himself before the figure bathed in light.
“Your humble subordinate Cao Zhi, greets my Lord!”
Liu Xiuer
o(（⊙﹏⊙）)o
Utterly bewildered!
He had merely been taking a stroll among the "demon beast horde."
Then, he saw the "imperial army" charging forward with imposing might.
Just as Liu Xiuer was about to engage, Cao Zhi was already kneeling before him, loudly proclaiming "My Lord."
This turn of events…
Liu Xiuer was all too familiar with it!
After a brief moment of confusion, he quickly regained his senses.
Liu Xiuer walked over and helped Cao Zhi up.
“General, what is your name?”
“Reporting to my Lord, I am Cao Zhi. I originally served the corrupt imperial court, but upon seeing my Lord, I experienced a sudden enlightenment and understood much! The current chaos in the world is entirely due to the corrupt court. I am determined to assist my Lord in achieving great ambition and bringing lasting peace to all generations!”
What noble aspirations!
Liu Xiuer was deeply moved. Grasping Cao Zhi’s hand, he said enthusiastically.
“General Cao, welcome to the righteous army!”
Cao Zhi was immensely grateful for Liu Xiuer’s “appreciation.” He quickly bowed.
“Thank you, my Lord, for your recognition!”
Saying this, Cao Zhi berated those behind him, the "Purple Armored Army."
“What are you all standing around for? Hurry and pay your respects to my Lord!”
The "Purple Armored Army" was initially confused, but when they saw Liu Xiuer, they seemed to behold "light" and were instantly "conquered."
“Greetings, my Lord!”
These men rushed forward one after another, performing a deep bow to Liu Xiuer.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host, your first disciple “Liu Xiuer” trembled with power, exuding immense charisma, and successfully subdued “Cao Zhi.”]
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host, your first disciple “Liu Xiuer” trembled with power, exuding immense charisma, and successfully subdued the “Purple Armored Army.”]
Hao Ren
(￣ェ￣；)
Speechless!
He had guessed the "ending" but not the "process."
What in the world was this!
It was too absurd!
Was Liu Xiuer, who was now "cheating," completely disregarding logic and reason!
Before, when he subdued the "Gao family brothers," the "Gao family brothers" at least had some "inner journey," such as "running under the setting sun" and "past youth."
But with "Cao Zhi," even the "inner journey" was skipped.
Cao Zhi saw Liu Xiuer and it was like seeing "light."
Then, he smoothly "surrendered."
It couldn't be called hasty, nor abrupt, it could only be described as maddeningly insane!
Cheating to this extent was simply excessive!
…
The righteous army’s small city.
The assembly hall.
A "military conference" was underway.
Liu Xiuer sat in the "head seat."
Beside him sat the dignified and virtuous "Princess Yin Lihua."
To his left, lined up, were the old subordinates of the "righteous army."
To his right, lined up, were the "former imperial generals" who had recently surrendered.
On the left, the "righteous army's old subordinates," only a handful of them, the strongest not even reaching the "Foundation Establishment realm."
On the right, the "former imperial generals," all "Golden Core cultivators," each powerful and with explosive combat strength.
These individuals, even within the imperial court, were "influential figures," renowned and distinguished.
Especially the recently surrendered "Cao Zhi," who was a key cultivated figure of the court, a young prodigy of the "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect."
The arrangement in the assembly hall created a surreal illusion; this was not a meeting of the "righteous army," one might have mistaken it for an "imperial court meeting."
No help for it, Liu Xiuer's personal charisma was just that immense!
He hadn't even actively attacked much, and already a significant portion of the court’s foundations had been undermined.
A "cheat user" was truly terrifying!
“My Lord, I suggest we replace all the mounts of the Purple Armored Army with those powerful demon beasts outside!”
Cao Zhi stood up and made his "suggestion."
He was excited!
This had always been his "ideal."
If all the "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" could ride "demon beasts," the combat effectiveness of the entire "Purple Armored Army" would increase by a level!
Moreover, the "demon beasts" outside the "righteous army's small city" were generally powerful, which would greatly enhance the combat prowess of the "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers."
If handled well, the combat strength of the entire "Purple Armored Army" wouldn't just increase by one level; they might even be able to confront four or five "Nascent Soul cultivators" simultaneously.
Incredibly formidable, incredibly awesome!
The "Purple Armored Army," with all members mounted on "demon beasts," would be invincible and unstoppable!
This was a "good suggestion"!
Liu Xiuer, being receptive to good ideas, quickly agreed to Cao Zhi's proposal.
But then came the problem.
"Demon beasts" were not warhorses.
Riding "demon beasts" was not that easy.
Firstly, specialized "mount artifacts" needed to be crafted.
"Mount artifacts" varied in grade, the lowest being "first-grade artifacts" and the strongest even reaching "ninth-grade artifacts."
Even if the requirements were lower, aiming for "first-grade artifact level" "mount artifacts."
For eight hundred "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers," eight hundred sets of "first-grade artifacts" would be needed.
A total of eight hundred sets of "first-grade artifacts"! The materials and spirit stones required for their refinement were simply an astronomical figure.
Alas, the "penniless and destitute" righteous army truly could not afford such an expense!
No money, difficult to proceed.
Everyone fell silent.
Cao Zhi was unwilling; "all-demon beast cavalry" was his dream!
How could a man be stumped by a lack of money?
If there's no money, then go and rob!
We are not "rebels," we are the "righteous army," aren't we? "Robbing homes and villages" is our old trade!
“My Lord, let’s go and seize some money!”
Cao Zhi proposed a pertinent suggestion to Liu Xiuer.
Liu Xiuer resolutely rejected it.
“We, the righteous army, strive for the welfare of the common people. How can we rob and harm them? No, absolutely not!”
His words were powerful and resonant.
Cao Zhi felt ashamed upon hearing this.
My Lord is indeed my Lord!
My Lord's "ideological realm" is something we cannot even dream of catching up to!
Thinking this, Cao Zhi rephrased his suggestion.
“My Lord, we don't need to rob ordinary citizens. We can raid the imperial court! The unrighteous court, foolish and dark, has accumulated immense wealth. These riches, extorted from the people, rightfully belong to our righteous army! We are not going to rob; we are going to reclaim what is ours!”